Mike Miller Aiming for a Christmas Return

Miller tells ESPN that he should be back in action just in time for the X-mas Day showdown with the Lakers: “The Miami Heat could be getting sharpshooter Mike Miller back from his thumb injury a bit sooner than expected. Miller said Thursday he expects to make his Heat debut on Christmas Day in Los Angeles against the Lakers, a proclamation that adds even more intrigue to the highly anticipated matchup between the revamped Heat and the two-time defending NBA champions. Miller is still recovering from Oct. 22 surgery to repair a fracture and ligament damage on the thumb of his right shooting hand. He sustained the injury on Oct. 20 when his hand got caught in the jersey of teammate LeBron James during a defensive drill in practice. ‘It’s definitely getting better, but it’s still sore,’ Miller told ESPN.com Thursday night before the Heat faced the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena. ‘My goal is to get out there a little quicker than we thought. I’m looking to be out there ready to go when we play the Lakers.’”